In case you missed it: Gloucester is one of three places in Virginia to win $100,000 to help startup businesses. The Virginia Community Business Launch is a new program which will seek out entrepreneurs with a vision for the community. Funds will help the selected startups get underway.

In Gloucester, the Main Street Preservation Trust took the lead in competing for and winning the grant. The incubator funds are likely to produce firms that enhance the revitalized historic business district.

Well done, trust leaders. And well done, Gloucester supervisors, who have committed $15,000 toward the CBL; this money will help to update a countywide marketing plan.

Small businesses take a beating from many other forms of commerce and especially during an economic downturn; however, officials continue to praise small firms as the backbone of the economy.

The new program which Gloucester has successfully joined should help to stiffen our local backbone. Being selected as a launch pad for the ...